Chateau Indulgence & Weight Loss Journey: Finding Balance in Healthy Eating

The pristine beauty of Lake Louise often inspires a sense of renewal, a fresh start. And indeed, my day began with the best intentions, a firm commitment to healthier choices. In a testament to my resolve, I even managed to offload the last delicious remnants of a buttermilk pie onto a willing neighbor before heading out. Our destination was the breathtaking Lake Louise, where we were participating in the Ski for Heart event, a vital fundraiser for the Alberta Heart & Stroke Foundation. Knowing the unpredictability of mountain travel, I had packed an impressive array of well-thought-out, healthy rations, enough to sustain us for a week, even if an unexpected snowbank decided to claim our car.

My travel provisions included a batch of homemade hummus (originally planned to be green pea hummus, but a last-minute shortage meant a classic version) served with perfectly toasted whole wheat pitas. Alongside this, I had prepared a wholesome banana loaf, generously loaded with flax seeds for an extra boost of fiber and a scattering of sweet raisins. This meticulous preparation wasn’t just about satisfying hunger; it was a practical application of one of the most enduring weight-loss lessons I’ve ever learned, echoing the wisdom of my Girl Guides days: Be Prepared. Having healthy, readily available options is often the key to navigating challenging situations, preventing impulsive, less-healthy choices.

However, as evening approached, despite our ample supply of snacks, the day’s activities had taken their toll on the boys, leaving them tired and longing for a more substantial, traditional meal. With an event scheduled for 6 PM, convenience became paramount. We opted for room service at the iconic Chateau Lake Louise, a choice that surprisingly proved more economical than dining in most of the hotel’s restaurants, and allowed my youngest, W, the freedom to roam our room. Our primary goal was to maximize value for our money. While I genuinely adore the Chateau, renowned for its luxurious offerings and stunning views, its culinary options can be quite pricey. The Gouda burger, priced at $17, felt like an absolute steal in comparison.

And here’s where my “healthy intentions” met a delicious detour: I genuinely ordered the burger with a fresh salad, but it arrived accompanied by a generous portion of fries. Not my fault, I assure you! But let me tell you, that burger was absolutely spectacular. Every single bite was worth it. We decided to share it, savoring each mouthful at the white-clothed table elegantly rolled into our room, complete with china and fresh flowers. Our feast also included a 10-inch thin-crust pizza, with a couple of slices wisely saved in the mini-bar fridge for the next day. Between the three of us, our portions were surprisingly well-controlled. We rounded off our meal with refreshing pears for dessert and drank plenty of water. Crucially, I managed to silence that familiar inner voice that often tempts us with “you’ve already indulged, so why not go all in?” – the one that suggests diving into Mike’s chocolate stash and postponing the real “hunkering down” until tomorrow. Or rather, I heard it, but this time, I simply didn’t listen.

This experience brought into sharp focus my evolving perspective on food and dieting. I am not, and never have been, a believer in the concept of “cheating” when it comes to food. There is simply nothing positive that can emerge from such a mindset. When we label a food choice as “cheating,” how do we truly feel about ourselves? Almost invariably, the emotions are terrible: guilt, shame, and a sense of being small or inadequate – none of which are conducive to well-being or progress. Guilt, far from being a motivator, is a destructive force that traps us in a cycle of self-blame, convincing us that we are weak-willed and incapable of achieving our goals. I struggled with this self-reproach for years until I finally learned to cut myself some slack, and that compassionate shift made all the difference.

Instead of berating myself for an imagined lack of “willpower” (a term I’ve grown to strongly dislike, as it implies a moral failing rather than a physiological response), I find it becomes easier to acknowledge the inherent difficulty of managing cravings. There is nothing more natural, more human, than to experience hunger and to crave food – especially those high-fat, high-sugar, high-calorie, and undeniably tasty foods. Do we feel guilty about feeling tired and giving in to sleep? Of course not. Similarly, being hungry and finding immense pleasure in eating is not a character flaw. It’s a fundamental aspect of our biology and our human experience. Embracing this reality, rather than fighting it with guilt, opens the door to a more balanced and sustainable approach to healthy eating.

I must apologize for not being more forthcoming with healthy recipes this year. It’s something I genuinely want to share, and I realize that to do it right, I need to get over myself and be completely transparent, even about the numbers that often feel so personal and vulnerable. I might have been subconsciously procrastinating, perhaps hoping to lose a few pounds before sharing. (Which, let’s be honest, somewhat defeats the entire purpose of talking about a journey, doesn’t it?) Or maybe I hoped you wouldn’t notice. It’s incredibly easy to hide behind a laptop screen, dispensing healthy recipes and snippets of advice, but if we’re truly going to discuss this journey, then let’s talk about it openly and honestly. It’s time to “walk the walk,” as they say. (And if this personal reflection isn’t what you’re looking for, I wouldn’t be offended at all if you skipped ahead to another fantastic food blog out there.)

So, here it is: I weighed 210 pounds this morning. Despite having spent a significant portion of my life at over 300 pounds – a detail I still cringe to share, knowing how many perceptions of me might shift upon hearing it – 200 pounds still feels like an uncomfortably large number to be on the “wrong side” of, especially being close to 6 feet tall. As many of you know, I achieved a remarkable weight loss of 165 pounds (from 330 pounds down to 165 pounds) by diligently focusing on proper nutrition and consistent exercise. It’s a long, detailed story, and I’ll spare you the intricate specifics for now, but I felt it was important to lay all these numbers on the table as a starting point for this renewed commitment.

Life, as it often does, threw some curveballs. After being pregnant for what effectively amounted to an entire year (52 weeks – I lost the first baby at three months and became pregnant again almost immediately), and then having W, followed by all the subsequent challenges and changes (and contrary to popular belief, “you lose weight breastfeeding my ass” wasn’t my experience!), my weight gradually crept back up. It has stubbornly hovered around 210 pounds for the past couple of years. While this is still a considerable distance from my highest weight of 330 pounds, it’s a number that leaves me feeling distinctly uncomfortable and not at my best.

Last Sunday, my weight registered at 218 pounds. However, as some of you might have experienced, I inadvertently “jump-started” my week with an unfortunate bout of stomach flu. This made it a little easier, in the worst possible way, to quickly get back on track with lighter eating. It’s crucial to understand that you often see a rapid initial drop in weight at the beginning of any significant change, so please don’t misinterpret this as me crash-dieting my way into skinny jeans at an unrealistic rate of 8 pounds per week. My ultimate goal is to comfortably make my way back to 170 pounds, and crucially, to tone up a bit – specifically, to increase my muscle mass again in the process. It’s important to remember that muscle weighs more than fat, so a 170-pound physique with poor muscle tone looks and feels drastically different from a fitter, more muscular 170-pound body. This journey isn’t just about the scale; it’s about strength, health, and how I feel.

Wow, after that extensive ramble, you might think I’d had at least half a bottle of wine! My apologies for the length, but sometimes, honesty requires a few more words.